The Family Game by Catherine Steadman -> Restarting October 12th, 2023

[Aly]

Harry is a novelist on the brink of stardom; Edward, her husband-to-be, is seemingly perfect. In love and freshly engaged, their bliss is interrupted by the reemergence of the Holbecks, Edward's eminent family and the embodiment of American old money. For years, they've dominated headlines and pulled society's strings, and Edward left them all behind to forge his own path. But there are eyes and ears everywhere. It was only a matter of time before they were pulled back in . . .

After all, even though he's long severed ties with his family, Edward is set to inherit it all. Harriet is drawn to the glamour and sophistication of the Holbecks, who seem to welcome her with open arms, but everything changes when she meets Robert, the inescapably magnetic head of the family. At their first meeting, Robert slips Harry a cassette tape, revealing a shocking confession which sets the inevitable game in motion.

What is it about Harry that made him give her that tape? A thing that has the power to destroy everything? As she ramps up her quest for the truth, she must endure the Holbecks' savage Christmas traditions all the while knowing that losing this game could be deadly

[Haley]

looking forward to this one!!

[Trisha]

me too!! I'm so excited to read it!

[Trisha]

8 chapters

(view spoiler)[ yikes. I hate the family is tied to her publisher.

and the family - they definitely make you nervous right?

and I wonder how she got pregnant. . .were they trying? They don't seem upset but it seems so surprising (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

22 chapters

OMG (view spoiler)[ wow, that game sounds awful. the kid wetting himself on her. Um, no.

and then the cassette. I do think he killed someone. it may not have been the nanny. It could have been his girlfriend or someone else in the house at the time (there's more hired help than actual family member it seems) but I still haven't figured out why he gave her the cassette

and Edward is being weird about her being pregnant. did he plan this? something else seems to be going on here
and I don't believe for 1 minute he was okay with her being a part of this. why do this to her? (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

through 36 ch

(view spoiler)[ wow, so. . . they told them
and I still feel like something really bad is about to happen
but I'm with her for that moment - I don't trust Edward either. what is going on here? (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

I'm done

this one was so good
(view spoiler)[ I thought it might be Edward but then when she had the blow up with Fiona, I wasn't sure of anyone anymore!!

but wow, what a horrible Xmas game! And then Edward was really just going to kill them all. I wonder why all of a sudden. Maybe because he was getting married and having a baby and didn't need them anymore - especially with all the money he'd just gotten.

just wild. I'm so glad she helped people get out but wow, she fit right in with them all right?? Lol (hide spoiler)]

I hope you love it too!

[Haley]

finally started last night!! after staring at the cover for so long. I'm already hooked and only 20% into the book! finishing up an assignment for school and getting back into it today

[Haley]

Trisha wrote: "8 chapters"

(view spoiler)[ It concerns me a bit that they have been together for a year and she didn't meet his family that entire time?? & now she's engaged and pregnant seems like a lot is happening in a short time period.

the family SKETCHES me out!! & how fishy the publisher is tied to the family. I'm wondering if that plays a role in becoming Edward's girlfriend.

I wonder what happened the day her parents died?? she keeps referring to a secret. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

yay!! I hope you love this one!
I thought it was so goood!

[Haley]

so far I'm really liking it!! I'm very suspicious of everyone except for Harry lol

[Trisha]

right?!! Trust. Issues! lol

[Haley]

Trisha wrote: "I'm done

this one was so good

(view spoiler)[ I don't understand how any of those family traditions were okay?? The krampus chapter really freaked me out and it definitely didn't help that I was reading it at night. I would have SCREAMED if I was facing the man in the costume...

I honestly didn't think it was Edward until Harry went into the childhood bedrooms and thought something was fishy. I can't believe Fiona just turned on Harry like that... what even....

I agree, I wonder what made Edward want to kill his family?? It makes sense with what you said though, especially since he just sold his company for billions (I wonder how many books I can buy with that much money lol). (hide spoiler)]

I loved this book!! I didn't want to put it down and although the synopsis made me suspicious from everyone from the get-to it was interesting to see it all come together

[Trisha]

yay!! so glad you loved it too!! wasn't it good??

the twists were great and I loved it all coming together, too! SO good!

[Haley]

it was sooo good!! honestly one of the better thrillers I've read lately thanks for buddy reading with me even though I was a bit late :))

[Aly]

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RESTARTING OCTOBER 12TH, 2023

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[Aneta]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[This feels like family drama so far but it's just the beginning. I didn't expected her to be pregnant so I'm little worried about that. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Starting now

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 1-6 (view spoiler)[I’m not really getting thrilled vibes from this yet. I don’t think she will get married to that guy though. Something might be going on with the dad. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 7-18 (view spoiler)[ This is starting to get more creepy. The recording with the lady talking about the guy dead on the sidewalk was super creepy and well done with the audiobook. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Chapters 19-40 (view spoiler)[This book seems so strange and I feel like a lot is going on. Not sure how I feel about it even though I’m almost done. I like the voice recordings on the audio though. (hide spoiler)]

[Ashlyn]

Finished (view spoiler)[Wow this was a little crazy! I thought it was awful when she was just telling her to get an abortion. Not my favorite book, but I don’t like thrillers 😂 (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[Is she finally going to listen to the tape? (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Chapter 29
(view spoiler)[That game was creepy as hell! I would not like this as a kid I can tell you that. But this book is getting better. (hide spoiler)]

[Aneta]

Ashlyn wrote: "Finished [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I was shocked when she asked her not to have any kids and get an abortion! (hide spoiler)]